U.S. patent number 6,880,729 [Application Number 10/194,818] was granted by the patent office on 2005-04-19 for secure lock closure.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Stull Technologies. Invention is credited to Robert T. Auer, Gene Stull, Jameson P. Stull.
United States Patent |
6,880,729 |
Stull , et al. |
April 19, 2005 |
Secure lock closure
Abstract
A secure lock for container packaging with a flexible retaining
lip of various formations for sealing against material product flow
distributions with the secure seal preventing tampering of, for
example, a flexible walled container of material such as a
medication, food stuff or art material. A resistant secure lock is
provided which in one embodiment meets Federal Child Safety
Standards providing a seal of flexible locking and unlocking which
is resistant to a child's tampering. In one embodiment, a tamper
resistant seal is formed for a squeezable container cap with a
flexible hinging structure connecting a cap to a cap receptor base
structure of a container to prevent a material product such as
medicine from dispensing without disengaging the seal selectively
to allow access to an aperture, yet with a directed flexion of a
lip or head, the seal simply unsnaps from a tamper resistant state
to release the flow of product through an aperture from a
container.
Inventors: |
Stull; Gene (Far Hills, NJ),
Auer; Robert T. (East Stroudsburg, PA), Stull; Jameson
P. (Far Hills, NJ) |
Assignee: |
Stull Technologies (Somerset,
NJ)
|
Family
ID: |
30114847 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/194,818 |
Filed: |
July 12, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/153.14;
215/216 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
47/0838 (20130101); B65D 50/045 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
47/08 (20060101); B65D 50/04 (20060101); B65D
50/00 (20060101); B67D 005/378 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/153.14,153.04,541.5
;215/216 ;220/306 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Mancene; Gene
Assistant Examiner: Cartagena; Melvin A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A flexibly activated locking closure for secure product
packaging of the type having a container with a discharge opening
therein, said locking closure comprising: a cap having a top
outward facing surface; a connection of said cap to a base
structure; said base structure having at least one aperture for
dispensing; said aperture further comprising at least one of
several of a pierced aperture, a tearout membrane aperture, or a
molded structure aperture; at least one of a flexible locking
member with a lip portion to lock for slidably engaging to said cap
with an engageable receptor within said cap for providing said
connection of said cap to said base structure; said connection
further comprising a hinging structure; and a seal formed
comprising said cap, said locking pin; said base structure apon
flexion of said locking pin through said engageable receptor within
said cap when said cap is flexibly engaged to said base structure;
wherein the base structure includes a recessed portion, and wherein
the flexible locking member is mounted in the recessed portion such
that the top of the flexible locking member is located below the
top surface of the cap when the flexible locking member is engaged
with the receptor.
2. The closure of claim 1 further wherein said base structure is
formed as a whole with a container.
3. The closure of claim 1 further wherein said base structure is
formed with an air vent.
4. The closure of claim 3 further wherein said cap further
comprises a pin for sealing said air vent.
5. The closure of claim 1 wherein said closure is resilient to
environment factors comprising temperature; altitude; and material
product for flow through said closure, further wherein said closure
is formed via molding comprising injection molding, co-injected
molding, or direct insertion molding further comprising a direct
formation on or into a nozzle.
6. A secure closure for consumer packaging comprising: a cap
comprising a lip receptor and an outward facing toy surface; a
connection of said cap to a base structure which comprises a
locking lip receptor engaging a flexible extension with a lip bud
slidably engaging said cap securely to said base structure to form
said connection; and said connection further comprises a hinging
structure connecting said cap to said base structure; wherein the
base structure includes a recessed portion, and wherein the
flexible extension is mounted in the recessed portion such that the
top of the bud of the flexible extension is located below the top
surface of the cap when the bud is engaged with the receptor.
7. A secure flex-to-open, closure construction of a cap and a lock
activated for dispensing from a hand-held dispenser, comprising in
combination: a) a body base structure member having at least one
discharge passage said discharge passage further comprises at least
one of a pierced aperture, a tearout membrane aperture, or a molded
aperture structure, said body member including a recessed portion;
b) a flexible body extension extending from said body member and
being force flexed from a user-motion thereon between a sealing cap
construction sealing position and a open to discharge position for
material dispensing through an orifice, the flexible body extension
being mounted in the recessed portion and extending upward such
that the top of the flexible body extension is located below a top
outer surface of the can; c) said closure construction on said
members for interrupting communication between the discharge
passage and the discharge orifice when a nozzle member of said base
structure is opened when said cap is lifted from a sealing position
from said body extension flexion, and establishing an opening
between the container interior for a material discharge passage and
said orifice when the closure member is disposed in a discharging
position such that said material can flow through at least one
discharge passage of said base structure; and d) said closure
construction reforming initial shape formation in a sealing
position with a force applied to said cap to engage said cap to
said flexible body extension.
8. A closure comprising a cap engageably forming a connection to a
base structure; said connection comprising a plurality of flexible
locking pins, each locking pin comprising an enlarged head
extending from a recess formed in said base structure for securely
and releasably engaging with said cap, the enlarged head being
located below a top outward facing surface of the cap when the cap
is locked to the base structure; said base structure comprising a
nozzle; said nozzle further comprising a size set at a curing time;
further said base structure comprises a sealing inner ring for
secure connection to a container; said cap further comprising cap
receptors formed on the can for engaging said cap to said pins,
wherein the enlarged head of each locking pin releasably engages
with one of the cap receptors for locking the cap to the base
structure; further said pins are flexible from at least one
recession within said cap said cap further comprising a sealing
plug for engagement on closure with an orifice; said connection
further comprises a hinging structure connecting said cap to said
base structure.
9. A flexibly activated the locking closure for secure product
packaging of the type having a container with a discharge opening
therein, said locking closure comprising: a cap having a top
outward facing surface, and an inner surface, the cap having an
access hole formed through it, and a lock receptor extending from
the inner surface of the cap the lock receptor having a notch
formed in it; a base structure having a top surface and a bottom
surface, the base having at least one aperture extending from the
bottom surface to the top surface for dispensing an item, the base
having a recessed portion extending from the bottom surface; the
cap being attached to the base through a hinged connection such
that the lower surface of the cap is adjacent to the upper surface
of the base structure when the cap is in a closed position; at
least one flexible locking member having a first end mounted in the
recess such that the flexible locking member extends out of the
recess, the flexible locking member having a locking lip on a
second end, the locking lip adapted to removably engage with the
lock receptor on the cap for locking the cap to the base structure
when the cap is in the closed position; wherein the locking lip of
the flexible locking member is located below the top surface of the
cap when the flexible locking member is engaged with the lock
receptor.
10. A closure as set forth in claim 9, wherein said closure
comprises a polymer further comprising polypropylene.
11. A closure as set forth in claim 10, wherein said polymer is of
a customizable crystallinity.
12. A closure as set forth in claim 10, wherein said polymer is
semicrystalline.
13. A closure as set forth in claim 9, wherein said closure
comprises a deformation resistant seal wherein said seal comprises
a selectable transition cycle selectively cycling a tamper
resistant state to a non-tamper resistant state.
14. A closure of claim 9, wherein said closure connects manually
absent a connector said connector comprising a hinging
structure.
15. A closure of claim 9, further comprising at least one of an
indentation groove for opening said closure.
16. A closure of claim 9, wherein said aperture is selectively
molded to a size determined at manufacturing time.
17. A closure of claim 9, wherein said aperture is customizably
molded to approximate a material distribution sizing; said aperture
material distribution sizing further comprising at least one of a
pill sizing, a particulate matter sizing, or a liquid material
distribution sizing.
18. A closure of claim 9, wherein said aperture is molded to form
at least one of several narrow stream flows from said
container.
19. A closure of claim 9, wherein said aperture is selectively
molded to a size for dispensing granular particulate material
flow.
20. A closure of claim 9, further comprising a selectively formed
resiliency to environment factors comprising temperature; altitude;
and material product for flow through said closure; further wherein
said closure is formed via molding comprising injection molding,
co-injected molding or direct insertion molding further comprising
formation on or into a nozzle.
Description
B. CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
None
C. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH ON
DEVELOPMENT
(N/A)
D. REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING
(N/A)
None
E. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of Invention
The present invention is directed to closures and more
particularly, to the secure lock closure of, for example, a safety
closure via a child-resistant lock.
(2) Description of Related Art Industry Information Disclosed Under
37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98
There is a need among known dispensers with product to be dispensed
which require hands to open, typically with one hand to open a
container, to provide a child resistant safety seal for example. A
need exists for securely containing a product to be dispensed as
squeezed from a container or dispersed from a container well, and
the subsequent need to provide a cap opening which is safe for
usage yet, for example, "child" resistant as well as tamper proof
in closure, providing a secure seal yet easily accessible with a
simple action such as flipping open with a finger while a hand
gribs a container for example. There is often a risk a curious
child could open a secure squeeze bottle opening a container, and
ingesting the medications or other consumer product such as pills
or fluids, a problem resolved by the disclosed invention. Elegance
of design for consumer appeal, yet safety from little hands, or for
that matter, safety for all consumers while achieving a secure
structure with ease of use in opening, is an objective of the
safety secure lock closure herein.
The lock top can be composed of a plastics such as polypropylene
and other moldable materialto form the secure lock closure of the
disclosed invention. Polypropylene can provide lightweight,
resilient, hygienic, corrosion resistant structures with ease of
molding and customization.
Polypropylenes provide functional performance and properties
similar to conventional thermoset rubber products, but can be
processed with the speed, efficiency and economy of
thermoplastics.
In addition to simpler processing, principal advantages of
polypropylenes compared to thermoset rubber products include easier
recycling of scrap and closer, more economical control of
dimensions and product quality.
Other benefits of polypropylenes include improved cost/performance,
design flexibility, reduced weight, wide service temperature range,
ease of processing, superior product quality and dimensional
consistency and can be recycled in-house.
The disclosed invention can comprise structures, which can be
molded or formed in varying ways for example, as thermoplastics for
example, with linear, branched linear or branched molecular
structures of varying molecular length. Variations in durometer
i.e. hardness of structures of the disclosed invention can be
achieved by composing polymer structures by varying polymer
formation aspects of time and temperature at the time of curing,
for example.
Other foreseeable materials can be utilized such, for example,
plastics to mold or form the customizable structure of a secure
top.
In one embodiment, a closure in conjunction with a flexible walled
container is intended to dispense product, while providing a secure
closure which is easy to use, yet resistant to tampering, for
example, from a child or patient with Alzheimer's. The closure can
be made in varying ways for example from injection-molded plastics
such as polypropylene or other plastic material for ease of
manufacture.
In one embodiment, the closure design disclosed provides the
advantage of being secure from tampering by a child opening a
closure inappropriately due to a novel molded structure with
flexible locking pins or of a closure formed of pin and gating
easily unlocked by knowledgeable hands accessing, a pin in a groove
made from, polypropylene or other formation material comprising a
cap and lock forming a secure juncture.
Material to be dispensed via the lock top can materially flow
through a small opening such as an airway--for liquids, talc, or
other foreseeable consumer materials.
As an alternative design, the lock top design can be molded or
formed to allow the wall to which the locking pins connect at
bottom to have an opening, the aperture through which pills or
other material can flow through. The opening of the wall bottom to
which locking pin or pins connect, for example, by molding with a
variation in size, allows for dispensing pills based on the sizing
of the opening of the wall bottom to which the locking pins extend
from connecting to a cap which can be toggled and opened to allow
pills to go through an opening based on size variation of an
orifice for example formed or set at molding time, designed to
meet, in one embodiment, Federal Child Safety Regulations, as
well.
Another object of the closure invention disclosed is that it can be
utilized for all types of products, under varying conditions, and
for varying amounts of material for dispensing, by varying the
customizable design for variations in container and material size
or item.
An additional object of the closure in one embodiment is to provide
flexibility of the cap hinging and locking with the design of the
cover cap providing a passageway for dispensing, for example,
liquids or particular matter while acting as an air passageway.
An object of the invention is that the lock top can be formed and
assembled in several different ways and still achieve the same
successful secure seal for dispensing selectively yet tamper proof
to, for example, a child's tampering hands. From a separate molded
piece, the lock top can be inserted on or inside a container, for
example, and then the cap locked in place by in example
embodiments, either moving a flexible hinge or hinging structure
such as a strap engaging the cap top with a locking lip or lips of
a vertical locking pin structure extending from the cap base
structure or having a totally separate cap alternatively without a
hinging structure relying on the cap to engage at least one of
potentially several flexible locking pins extending from said cap
structure. The injected molded lock top can also be co-injected or
insert molded directly and formed on or into a nozzle, when used
with compatible material, or just as easily screwed on, or snapped
to snuggly hold to a container from an inner ring structure
extending from the inner wall of the base structure.
Tamper-resistant to, a child's tampering for locking tops are
disclosed in one embodiment, with varying embodiments providing
various methods to make a one-piece tamper-resistant flip top
dispensing closure which is part of a container or attachable to a
container in alternative embodiments while conforming to Federal
Guidelines for child safety.
Variant designs provide alternate locking methods developed. For
example, as a "Squeeze N' Lift Double Lock Top" alternate variant
embodiment, a secure locking method is provided of an appealing
exterior appearance that is functionally secure yet aesthetically
appealing. It is a goal of the disclosed invention to achieve, for
example, a child-resistant packaging with a closure that cannot be
opened by children or other tampering hands, but also allows
seniors to successfully open and close the closure for dispensing
from a packaging such as a container. The secure closure can, in
one embodiment, foreseeably meet with criteria according to
specific government guidelines for safety.
An achievement of the disclosed invention is an unique secure,
tamper proof closure, as well as a coordinating container for
selective sealing.
Another goal of the disclosed invention is to provide safety
protection of the public, yet with coordination of the closure to
customizable aperture dimensions for dispensing, providing the
ability to control who can open the bottle via a flexion closure
action disengaging a top cap from a lock, resisting tampering.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with
the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and by
example, by the varying embodiments of the present invention
disclosed.
These and other objects of the invention, which shall become
hereinafter apparent are achieved by the Tamper Resistant Safety
Locking Top.
F. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment, a cap closure has a locking shape such that at
least one of several prongs with engageable lips which are each
flexible to allow for locking and unlocking following a manual
activated flexion of the locking means provides a tamper resistant
closure. The closure is resistant to, for example, a child's
tampering with a novel closure in conjunction with a cap-top
amongst other features. The locking closure top is preferably
comprised of a selected material comprising injection molded
structures formed of plastics such as polypropylene or other
material which retains an initial shape memory after being deformed
i.e. substantially retains its initial molded shape following the
flexion and deformation of the engageable lips to lock and unlock
from the cap top. The lock cap can secure a container from
dispensing while further providing a cover cap which can seal an
air passageway which also can be utilized for dispensing material
from a container. The opening of the cap base structure can provide
an air influx passageway or channel for material dispensation in
varying embodiments. Further, the design can be provided but not
limited to, for example, a singular molded piece, and can
alternatively be formed as an aperture with the container for
selectively securing a dispensing container.
G. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood by the detailed description
of a preferred embodiment, with reference to the drawings, in
which:
FIG. 1 is an example of a view of the squeeze and lift activated
locktop with, in one embodiment, a double locked aperture with cap
(10) engaged with cap base via lips (30) structure (20) shown in a
closed state. In the figure shown, the one-piece construction is in
a closed state, and can foreseeably molded to a container in
another embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an example of a top view of the closure showing how the
two lips (30) or headed sides of the locking pins slidably engage
with the cap (10) apparatus to form into a closed position state
securing any air way from dispensing and preventing tampering from
this example closed position of the closure. The cap (10) in a
closed state keeps the closure in a selectively locked state and
prevents material from dispensing. The lips or overhanging headed
sides are flexed into a secure locked position with the cap and
lock top engaged in a closed and secure state; yet with a simple
"pinch" of a finger in a groove (12) can flex the lip or lips to
the side to disengage from the cap, a user can lift the cap which
is one embodiment is hinged, open from a tamper resistant state to
allow a consumer to squeeze a container for material flow through
the cap. A design is equally possible with the cap not connected
permanently to a base, for example absent a hinging means such a
flexible hinge or strap.
Within FIGS. 3A and 3B, shown as in FIG. 3A, is an example of a
side view of the lock top made from, for example, polypropylene for
flexibility, with the living hinge or foreseeably other hinging
means such as a strap flexibly holding a cap (10) molded shown
with, from the top most view, the cap lock action shown in the
closed state; the cover cap (10) automatically locked with the lip
or lips (30) engaged with the cap (10) in a closed secure
state;
FIG. 3B is an example of a side view of the closure shown from as
an example of the locking lip action disengaged (32) with a flexing
action to selectively provide a locking or unlocking state. By
squeezing the locking lips into a position to dispense; a cap can
be unlocked and flexibly hinged into an open position or snapped
into a closed position, with the lips (30) re-engaging the cap (10)
providing a tamper-proof seal.
FIG. 4A is another example of the locking top with locking pin (34)
or lip (30) visible from a side view, shown in an open position
with a cap (10) with a top cover cap open with a single lip (34)
assigned for engagement and closure with a "flip" of the hinged
(50) cover cap (10) engaging the flexible pin (34) or lip (30) into
the aperture (16) of the cap slidably engaging the cap into a
sealed state of closure and snapping into place (40);
FIG. 4B is a side view of the hinged cap with the lips (30) or head
structure (34) open and ready for closure by a consumer flexing the
living hinge (50) to engage the head structure (34) or lip (30)
into the aperture (16) of the cap (10);
FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are side views showing the base cap in open
position with, in another example embodiment one open air slot
orifice (64) and a lip locking pin (30) whose bottom connection
wall (26) can have a nozzle (24) as well as an customizable
aperture (64) set at forming time for example for dispensing
variant pill sizes as an alternative design embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a side view showing a one piece construction cap with
single locking pin in position, with an airslot and orifice variant
design.
H. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As an example embodiment, a "squeeze n' lift" double lock top can
be formed as a one-piece injection molded dispensing closure,
molded in an open position as shown in FIG. 4A. The base (20) and
cap top (10) cover sections are held together with a flexible
living hinge (50). This example closure, is intended to be used in
conjunction with flexible walled containers and can dispense
products from, for example, an inverted position of a container to
which the closure is connected or by squeezing a container to force
material through an aperture of the .cap base structure.
In such an example embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 located at the
center of the base cap (20) are two flexible vertical locking pins
(30) with extended overhanging head sides (30) at least one (34) as
shown in FIG. 4 of two (30) or (39), for example. As the top cover
cap (10) is being closed, a locking pin (28, 30, 34) extending from
the base are flexed together (32) and forced through an open
aperture or apertures of the cap lip bud receptors (16) located,
for example, at the center of the cover cap (10). When the cover
cap (10) is closed, the locking pin or pins (28, 30, 34) flexibly
return to their substantially original vertical molded positions
(30), causing the overhanging side top area (34) of a pin or pins
(30) to slidably engage into at least an opening (16) of the cover
cap (10), creating a locking condition which is child tamper
resistant The vertical pins (30) or pin (34) can cycle and flexibly
return to a substantially original molded state position due to the
inherent memory of the material for example, in one embodiment,
such as polypropylene. One or more pins (28, 30, 34) are
automatically in the locked position (36) when the cover cap (16)
is flexibly hinged to a sealed position. To make it more convenient
for the consumer to unlock the top cover cap (10), a design
embodiment, for example, includes enlarged extended recessed finger
areas (12) on both sides of the cover cap (10) as shown in FIG. 2.
The bottom of the base structure allows for adhesion to a container
or alternatively can be molded as one part with a container body of
flexible walling.
In one embodiment, to open the cover cap the consumer must flex one
or more locking (32) pins to unlock simultaneously and lift the
hinged (50) cap (10) in tandem, sliding both pins through the
center open lip bud receptor aperture (16) of the cover cap (10).
The cover cap (10) can be opened and closed as many times as
required by the consumer. The open dispensing nozzle (24), for
example, forming an aperture located on the top front section of
the base cap (20) and the plug or pin (14) to close a structure can
be located on the inside of the cover cap as shown in FIG. 4. A
hinge (50) controls the registration relationship between the
nozzle (24) and sealing plug (14), in one example embodiment.
Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals reflect like
elements throughout the various views, in one embodiment, a cap
(10) can be formed with a flexible hinge (50) attached as a
apertures to a base structure (20) as shown in FIG. 1 that is
precisely formed to provide a secure closure (40) that is snug. Yet
the seal is also easily controlled to flexibly open when an
external force is applied to the lip lock (30) or head (34) of a
containment lock to flex a pin head (28, 30, 34), moving the pin
bud from a secure state, to a disengaged open position relative to
a cap lip bud receptor opening (16) unlocking and sliding the cap
(10) hingedly connected into an open position.
The selection of a resilient material, such as polypropylene, for
example, or any other compatible memory retaining material which
gives the disclosed invention's lip lock or pinhead (28, 30, 34)
the ability to flex and retract and lock (36) forming a secure seal
(40) when the cap is flipped again to close and cycle again to
relock, with external application of pressure to unlock a seal by
flexing the lip or head (28, 30, 34) to slidably unlock from a
secure position. Polypropelene has a slippery feel for a good
consumer grip, yet hardened vinyl, or other types of rubber such as
a harder durometer rubber, silicon, or nylon are foreseeable
structural forms. Resins of polypropelene can be of varying density
and coloring, yet polypropelene provides a relatively inexpensive
material for one embodiment of the disclosed invention. The density
of polypropylene can foreseeably be customized for alternative
embodiments.
Each of the molded lip or head (28, 30, 34) connected to the base
structure (20) disclosed is synchronized to slidably perform a lock
and unlock function flexibly when an external force is applied to
move the lip or head (28, 30, 34) of the container base structure
(20) in the closed position with a cap (10) which slides through
receptors (16) as shown in FIG. 1. The lip or lips (30, 34, 28)
connected within the base structure (20) to a bottom wall (26) are
flexible and living hinges (50) allow the cap (10) as shown in FIG.
2 to be secured in conjunction with the lip (30) or lips secured or
moved again to disengage and open from a locked state (36) to allow
a container to have apertures (24), (64) for dispensing material
flow.
As shown in FIG. 5, the unlocking of the lip (30) i.e. of heading
locking pin (34, 28, 30) from the cap (10) allows a pill, for
example, to be dispensed through an aperture in the center section
of the bottom wall (26) from an orifice (64) which approximates
pill size as an alternative embodiment after flexing the lip
locking pin head lip to, in one embodiment, snap from the cap lip
bud receptor (16) aperture, disengaging the hinged the cap and
flipping the cap (10) and cap structure to an open state. When the
lip is moved into this position, it is unlocked from the cap (10)
and the cap (10) can be lifted open and enable the top cap (10) to
hinge (50) outwardly material or air can flow through a nozzle as
well (24). This transition from a closed state of FIG. 1, for
example, to an open state (FIG. 4 and FIG. 5), allows flow of
product dispensation through apertures (64) or slits or open
nozzles (24) or that foreseeable apertures that are normally sealed
in the closed position of the disclosed invention by the cap (10)
and lock connection (34), for which the lips of the locking pins
(30, 34, 28) engage in locked position and from an unlocked
position allow for an opening for dispensing. In alternative
embodiments, pill size and other material for containment can
determine tooling layout, cap size, gating or piercing of the wall
bottom (26) for aperture opening sizing (64) or placement of an
aperture means for product flow with alternatively positioning,
variations in placement on a wall (26) to provide a secure
closure.
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a side view is presented showing a
secured closed storage position with the base cap (10) in locked
position with, for example, the air slot (64) closed. The base cap
can snap snuggly into place to seal on a container from an inner
ring structure (70) extending from the inner wall of the base
structure snapping to a receptive engagement ring structure on a
container as one embodiment. As seen from a side view, the "nubs"
of the side view shown in FIG. 6 are the inner ring (70) of the cap
structure which can secure to a container neck as yet another
embodiment. Alternatively, the connection to a container can be
embodied instead of as an inner ring to connect to container rather
as a groove to slide unto a receptive container neck with an
exterior ring to engage forming a tamper resistant whole unit with
a container.
A tapered wall which forms a internal skirting structure can also
slidably engage with a container, allow the cap optional hinging
structure and cap structure to attach to a container in a self
balancing procedure.
FIG. 3 is an example side view of the squeeze and lift double lock
top (which can just as easily be implemented as a single lip (30)
to lock as shown in FIG. 5), showing the cap in place such that the
inner portion of the cover cap engages with the lips, snapping the
cap (10) into place securely, preventing a cap from opening
outwardly even with prying of the closure. With a simple snap and
flexion of the lips, flipping the cap (10) open relying flexing on
the living hinges (50) to extend the cap outward in a spring like
action providing for flow through openings (24) (64) of the cap
base structure (20) from, in one embodiment, a squeeze
container.
For example, after dispensing the product, the locking lip action
can snap lock the cap into position to allow for placement on a
level surface during a container transition state.
The formed cap can be composed from material such as, but not
limited to, polypropylene, which can, after a chosen cure time be
composed in variations of structural formation and durometer all
with the goal of providing a proper sealing. The size of opening or
piercing along the cap structure container wall or cap to which the
lips engage can be molded for varying dispensing of different
material determined by the type of product to be dispensed.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 variations of the directional locking lip
(30) number and design with variant shapes of lock openings (16)
and lock relationship to aperture as well as open and closed
positions is foreseen, with select embodiments conforming to
Federal Child Security Standards, for example.
The locking direction of locking lips (28, 34), (30) is shown in a
vertical position relative to the base (20) as shown in FIGS. 3, 4,
5 and 6, yet could foreseeably be placed at a diagonal. The lip
flexion is generally consistent and isometric in flexible
engagement to the cap. In one embodiment, any aperture cap lip bud
receptor (16) can have a gating wall (not shown) with the gating
causing the flexing lips (30, 28, 34) to slide apart and slide into
a lock catch (22) causing the catch to close to the cap providing a
tamper resistant seal, in one embodiment, as a seal resistant to a
child's tampering hands, which is safe, and secure as shown in FIG.
4 and FIG. 5.
An achievement of the disclosed secure lock closure is to provide a
dispensing container for foods, art materials, or medicines for
example with uniform dispensing of such material, with security
from a child's prying hands, preventing, little prying hands from
opening and ingesting medicine.
For example, FIG. 4 shows an equalized locking control with a
centremost directional cap locking engagement for securing the
dispensing engagement from a variation of the gating formation of a
cap with, for example, a lock pattern with an equal, centercap
engagement aperture (16) which can be flexed open flipping the cap
from a secure state via the living hinge (50), and snapping back
the cap to a closed state to achieve a closure of the cap in a
secure state from the flexion of the lip or headed (30, 34, 38)
structure locking with the cap.
In one embodiment, the cover cap is designed to enable a secure
seal and air cannot enter an aperture when the cover cap is in the
closed position as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIG. 6. This
directional airflow aperture or nozzle (24) of the disclosed
invention allows material flow, yet can be sealed to meet Federal
Child Safety Standards. After consumers dispense a product and snap
the cover cap closed, the container lock recovers initial
positioning preventing against flow of a material from dispensing
and access, secure from tampering achieved, by the varying
embodiments of the disclosed invention.
As an alternative embodiment of the many alternative customizable
formations designs possible: the wall bottom to which the flexible
lips for locking the gating, to which the gating connects can be
made with a variation of size as an opening of ranging diameter.
Creating an aperture through the wall that is presently solid from
which the lips extend and selectively changing the diameter of this
opening at molding and curing time can allow, for example, pills to
flow through by customizably molding the aperture of the wall to
pill size, for example, for example as small particles such as talc
or fluid flow rate determined by the selectable sizing of the
aperture. Apertures of the design can as provides air influx
apertures.
The cap could be selectively be formed at a diagonal, etc.
Another alternative design is absent a hinging structure such as a
flexible living hinging structure or strap in which the cap can
disengage from the locking pins flexibly extending from a cap base
structure
While the invention has been described in connection with a
preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the
invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it
is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and
equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
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